Faizan Rehman, who was arrested on Friday night, has been charged with the same offences.

Adrian Roberts of the Crown Prosecution Service said: ‘I have been working closely with Hertfordshire Constabulary and I have now authorised them to charge Muhammed Qasim Salam, Imran Khalifa and Faizan Rehman with conspiracy to steal, theft and conspiracy to commit a bomb hoax.

‘Having reviewed the evidence, I am satisfied that there is sufficient evidence to charge them, and that it is in the public interest to do so.’

The three men will remain in police custody ahead of an appearance at Hatfield Remand Court on Monday.